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Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification
"Character" has become a front-and-center topic in contemporary discourse, but this term does not have a fixed meaning. Character may be simply defined by what someone does not do, but a more active and thorough definition is necessary, one that addresses certain vital questions. Is character a singular characteristic of an individual, or is it composed of different aspects? Does character--however we define it--exist in degrees, or is it simply something one happens to have? How can character be developed? Can it be learned? Relatedly, can it be taught, and who might be the most effective teacher? What roles are played by family, schools, the media, religion, and the larger culture? This groundbreaking handbook of character strengths and virtues is the first progress report from a prestigious group of researchers who have undertaken the systematic classification and measurement of widely valued positive traits. They approach good character in terms of separate
strengths-authenticity, persistence, kindness, gratitude, hope, humor, and so on-each of which exists in degrees.
Character Strengths and Virtues classifies twenty-four specific strengths under six broad virtues that consistently emerge across history and wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence. Each strength is thoroughly examined in its own chapter, with special attention to its meaning, explanation, measurement, causes, correlates, consequences, and development across the life span, as well as to strategies for its deliberate cultivation. This book demands the attention of anyone interested in psychology and what it can teach about the good life.
strengths-authenticity, persistence, kindness, gratitude, hope, humor, and so on-each of which exists in degrees.
Character Strengths and Virtues classifies twenty-four specific strengths under six broad virtues that consistently emerge across history and wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence. Each strength is thoroughly examined in its own chapter, with special attention to its meaning, explanation, measurement, causes, correlates, consequences, and development across the life span, as well as to strategies for its deliberate cultivation. This book demands the attention of anyone interested in psychology and what it can teach about the good life.
800 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
109 people are currently reading
2773 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Peterson
66 books23 followersChristopher Peterson is visiting assistant professor of literature at Claremont McKenna College.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 29, 2016
Christopher Peterson's and Martin Seligman's Character Strengths and Virtues (CSV) is supposed to be the "positive" antidote to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, more popularly known as the DSM, now in its fifth incarnation DSM-5. Whereas the DSM-5 is a catalog of all the mental problems a person could be said to have, the CSV is supposed to be a catalog of all the mental strengths a person could be said to have. The CSV is part of a larger effort to get people not only to overcome their disorders but to understand and better realize their strengths and therefore their potential as human beings.
To give you an example for how this would work, Readers are asked to go to AuthenticHappiness.org, sign up (it's free), take this very long survey called the "VIA Survey of Character Strengths," and then read what their top five strengths are. After that, they can read about those strengths in this book, the CSV and find better ways to make use of those strengths in their daily lives. My top strengths, for instance, are "love of learning," "curiosity," "creativity," "humor," and "open-mindedness." I am also a teacher. Here is a simple way I can integrate these strengths into my teaching. I can learn about the subject I teach as much as possible through study ("love of learning"), I can discover new things about my students through asking questions and allowing exercises where students open up ("curiosity"), I can research news methods for teaching more effectively ("creativity"), I can make fun of myself and my blunders, and general incongruities in life and work and so on, as they come up in the classroom ("humor"), and I can be receptive and understanding to my students and their expression, giving them first the benefit of the doubt ("open-mindedness"). It is also, of course, possible for me to integrate these strengths into my relationships and into my play.
Readers of this book are also encouraged, after they have better incorporated their natural strengths into their lives, to cultivate another strength. For example, I could do more to increase "Kindness/Generosity" as a strength, by displaying kindness in various situations to students and colleagues. And of course in other areas of life.
I highly recommend the book.
To give you an example for how this would work, Readers are asked to go to AuthenticHappiness.org, sign up (it's free), take this very long survey called the "VIA Survey of Character Strengths," and then read what their top five strengths are. After that, they can read about those strengths in this book, the CSV and find better ways to make use of those strengths in their daily lives. My top strengths, for instance, are "love of learning," "curiosity," "creativity," "humor," and "open-mindedness." I am also a teacher. Here is a simple way I can integrate these strengths into my teaching. I can learn about the subject I teach as much as possible through study ("love of learning"), I can discover new things about my students through asking questions and allowing exercises where students open up ("curiosity"), I can research news methods for teaching more effectively ("creativity"), I can make fun of myself and my blunders, and general incongruities in life and work and so on, as they come up in the classroom ("humor"), and I can be receptive and understanding to my students and their expression, giving them first the benefit of the doubt ("open-mindedness"). It is also, of course, possible for me to integrate these strengths into my relationships and into my play.
Readers of this book are also encouraged, after they have better incorporated their natural strengths into their lives, to cultivate another strength. For example, I could do more to increase "Kindness/Generosity" as a strength, by displaying kindness in various situations to students and colleagues. And of course in other areas of life.
I highly recommend the book.
February 21, 2017
Martin Seligman's work on Positive Psychology inspired a whole new way of thinking about mental health and recovery. There's still a lot of work to do to bring this new approach to everyday mental health practice, but the tools we need are right there. I'll keep fighting the fight until professionals focus on strengths instead of deficits and we move to an empowering, compassionate understanding of mental health challenges that supports people to flourish, no matter what 'diagnosis' they may have been given.
September 22, 2018
This book is all about the classification of the human character strengths and how they got evolved from different regions and cultures. There is lot of emphasis on the classification and less on deliberate cultivation.
March 22, 2013
Christopher Peterson AND Martin Seligman not able to check out from Wili
Table of Contents
Contributors xiii
SECTION I: BACKGROUND
Introduction to a ``Manual of the Sanities''
3 (30)
Universal Virtues?---Lessons From History
33 (20)
Previous Classifications of Character Strengths
53 (56)
SECTION II: STRENGTHS OF CHARACTER
Strengths of WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE
Introduction
93 (16)
Creativity [Originality, Ingenuity]
109 (16)
Curiosity [Interest, Novelty-Seeking, Openness to Experience]
125 (18)
Open-Mindedness [Judgment, Critical Thinking]
143 (18)
Love of Learning
161 (20)
Perspective [Wisdom]
181 (32)
Strengths of COURAGE
Introduction
197 (16)
Bravery [Valor]
213 (16)
Persistence [Perseverance, Industriousness]
229 (20)
Integrity [Authenticity, Honesty]
249 (24)
Vitality [Zest, Enthusiasm, Vigor, Energy]
273 (30)
Strengths of HUMANITY
Introduction
291 (12)
Love
303 (22)
Kindness [Generosity, Nurturance, Care, Compassion, Altruistic Love, ``Niceness'']
325 (12)
Social Intelligence [Emotional Intelligence, Personal Intelligence]
337 (32)
Strengths of JUSTICE
Introduction
355 (14)
Citizenship [Social Responsibility, Loyalty, Teamwork]
369 (22)
Fairness
391 (22)
Leadership
413 (32)
Strengths of TEMPERANCE
Introduction
429 (16)
Forgiveness and Mercy
445 (16)
Humility and Modesty
461 (16)
Prudence
477 (22)
Self-Regulation [Self-Control]
499 (38)
Strengths of TRANSCENDENCE
Introduction
517 (20)
Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence [Awe, Wonder, Elevation]
537 (16)
Gratitude
553 (16)
Hope [Optimism, Future-Mindedness, Future Orientation]
569 (14)
Humor [Playfulness]
583 (16)
Spirituality [Religiousness, Faith, Purpose]
599 (26)
SECTION III: CONCLUSIONS
Assessment and Applications
625 (20)
References 645 (118)
Index of Names 763 (26)
Subject Index 789
Table of Contents
Contributors xiii
SECTION I: BACKGROUND
Introduction to a ``Manual of the Sanities''
3 (30)
Universal Virtues?---Lessons From History
33 (20)
Previous Classifications of Character Strengths
53 (56)
SECTION II: STRENGTHS OF CHARACTER
Strengths of WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE
Introduction
93 (16)
Creativity [Originality, Ingenuity]
109 (16)
Curiosity [Interest, Novelty-Seeking, Openness to Experience]
125 (18)
Open-Mindedness [Judgment, Critical Thinking]
143 (18)
Love of Learning
161 (20)
Perspective [Wisdom]
181 (32)
Strengths of COURAGE
Introduction
197 (16)
Bravery [Valor]
213 (16)
Persistence [Perseverance, Industriousness]
229 (20)
Integrity [Authenticity, Honesty]
249 (24)
Vitality [Zest, Enthusiasm, Vigor, Energy]
273 (30)
Strengths of HUMANITY
Introduction
291 (12)
Love
303 (22)
Kindness [Generosity, Nurturance, Care, Compassion, Altruistic Love, ``Niceness'']
325 (12)
Social Intelligence [Emotional Intelligence, Personal Intelligence]
337 (32)
Strengths of JUSTICE
Introduction
355 (14)
Citizenship [Social Responsibility, Loyalty, Teamwork]
369 (22)
Fairness
391 (22)
Leadership
413 (32)
Strengths of TEMPERANCE
Introduction
429 (16)
Forgiveness and Mercy
445 (16)
Humility and Modesty
461 (16)
Prudence
477 (22)
Self-Regulation [Self-Control]
499 (38)
Strengths of TRANSCENDENCE
Introduction
517 (20)
Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence [Awe, Wonder, Elevation]
537 (16)
Gratitude
553 (16)
Hope [Optimism, Future-Mindedness, Future Orientation]
569 (14)
Humor [Playfulness]
583 (16)
Spirituality [Religiousness, Faith, Purpose]
599 (26)
SECTION III: CONCLUSIONS
Assessment and Applications
625 (20)
References 645 (118)
Index of Names 763 (26)
Subject Index 789
January 26, 2014
This heavy (I'm guessing 3 pounds) and comprehensive tome is a beautiful encyclopedia of human strengths and virtues across all cultures and major philosophic/ religious tenets, and an excellent reference for those in counseling, education, and maybe many more professional fields.
February 3, 2015
Extremely thorough and well researched. Though it does discuss how to cultivate the various strengths and virtues, it barely does so. That was my primary purpose for reading the book. Still, it can serve as a nice reference guide.
January 12, 2025
I agree with Seligman that, in dealing with our clients, we often focus too much on the pathological aspects of a person. For psychodynamically inclined clinicians (myself included), even the goodness of a person often becomes a subject of scrutiny.
However, I’ve noticed that among more stable patients (whom I define as those transitioning from a late transitional to a depressive-stable stage), ruminating on their psychopathology—especially childhood issues—yields little progress. These are the patients on the cusp of rejuvenating their lives, gradually integrating changes after years of treatment. They no longer exhibit the paranoid-schizoid attachment where any appraisal of their strengths could trigger fears of abandonment. Instead, they are ready to advance to the next stage.
At this point, these patients possess a sufficiently stable ego and no longer rely on secondary narcissism to sustain their internal rumination. What they need is reinforcement and guidance in their relational structures. They may encounter estrangement in the “normal” world, where people are far less attuned to handling emotions compared to the psychiatric clinic. Some experience maladjustment in their workplaces, and their social rhythms may be disrupted. Many clients, who were once doctors, professors, engineers, or accountants, now take up less prestigious and materially rewarding jobs to maintain their remission.
This is where positive psychology comes in. The book at hand is a remarkable contribution by leading figures in the field, highlighting the existence of stable traits that offer not only fleeting moments of happiness but also lasting fulfillment. These virtues may represent the Platonic Form of the Good or timeless attributes celebrated across cultures and eras.
An extensive literature review, encompassing religious traditions and psychological works from Allport to Vaillant, supports the identification of 24 character strengths grouped under six universal virtues: wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence.
To qualify as part of these virtues and strengths, the authors provide 10 criteria. The attribute must be:
1. Intrinsically fulfilling, not necessarily materially rewarding.
2. Morally and universally valued.
3. Capable of inspiring others without diminishing them.
4. The opposite of an undesirable attribute.
5. A stable and enduring pattern in the client’s self.
6. Distinct from other attributes.
7. Exemplified by celebrated paragons.
8. Displayed by remarkable prodigies.
9. Linked to a reverse dose-relationship, where lower levels result in deficiencies in fulfillment, mood stability, and interpersonal satisfaction.
10. Honored by institutions or rituals that celebrate these attributes.
I’ve begun incorporating these strengths into my sessions in several ways:
1. Supportive psychotherapy (with stable clients): I use these timeless attributes to validate and highlight their strengths and uniqueness.
2. Intervention: I encourage clients to consciously incorporate their strengths into daily life. For those stuck in difficult environments at home or work, tapping into their strengths can be revitalizing. I often recommend creating grounding rituals based on their strengths during moments of distress.
For example, I once suggested to a client with a strong sense of humanity—especially kindness—that she offer sweets to coworkers she disliked. She struggled to adjust to her unkind workplace and unconsciously felt distressed about not being able to express kindness. This paradoxical method improved her adjustment.
The therapeutic effect of positive psychology lies in objectifying the good parts of ourselves. As a schema therapy practitioner, I often tell clients that the world feels dangerous and overwhelming because it resembles oppressive darkness, where nothing is visible or graspable, making everything seem frightening. But introducing even a single lamppost begins to disperse the darkness, allowing one to make sense of the surroundings.
Similarly, naming negative automatic thoughts provides cognitive boundaries, making them tangible—and anything tangible is easier to shape. If we can do this for negative schemas, why not for positive ones? This is, in my view, the crowning potential of positive psychology: its application as a learning module for students during their formative years.
We are among the first generations in human history to lack initiation or coming-of-age rituals. Our education systems are designed solely to produce income-generating individuals, neglecting emotional development. The consequences are generations of emotionally immature adults, trapped in prepubertal levels of psychological growth. These individuals experience existential angst because they lack the tools to master adulthood or build resilience in the face of life’s challenges.
In their confusion, they rely on manufactured pseudo-rituals and transient trends, such as public-speaking events or Hollywood depictions, which offer unrealistic portrayals of adulthood. Positive psychology can help mitigate this crisis by reconnecting future generations with the wheel of destiny.
However, I’ve noticed that among more stable patients (whom I define as those transitioning from a late transitional to a depressive-stable stage), ruminating on their psychopathology—especially childhood issues—yields little progress. These are the patients on the cusp of rejuvenating their lives, gradually integrating changes after years of treatment. They no longer exhibit the paranoid-schizoid attachment where any appraisal of their strengths could trigger fears of abandonment. Instead, they are ready to advance to the next stage.
At this point, these patients possess a sufficiently stable ego and no longer rely on secondary narcissism to sustain their internal rumination. What they need is reinforcement and guidance in their relational structures. They may encounter estrangement in the “normal” world, where people are far less attuned to handling emotions compared to the psychiatric clinic. Some experience maladjustment in their workplaces, and their social rhythms may be disrupted. Many clients, who were once doctors, professors, engineers, or accountants, now take up less prestigious and materially rewarding jobs to maintain their remission.
This is where positive psychology comes in. The book at hand is a remarkable contribution by leading figures in the field, highlighting the existence of stable traits that offer not only fleeting moments of happiness but also lasting fulfillment. These virtues may represent the Platonic Form of the Good or timeless attributes celebrated across cultures and eras.
An extensive literature review, encompassing religious traditions and psychological works from Allport to Vaillant, supports the identification of 24 character strengths grouped under six universal virtues: wisdom, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence.
To qualify as part of these virtues and strengths, the authors provide 10 criteria. The attribute must be:
1. Intrinsically fulfilling, not necessarily materially rewarding.
2. Morally and universally valued.
3. Capable of inspiring others without diminishing them.
4. The opposite of an undesirable attribute.
5. A stable and enduring pattern in the client’s self.
6. Distinct from other attributes.
7. Exemplified by celebrated paragons.
8. Displayed by remarkable prodigies.
9. Linked to a reverse dose-relationship, where lower levels result in deficiencies in fulfillment, mood stability, and interpersonal satisfaction.
10. Honored by institutions or rituals that celebrate these attributes.
I’ve begun incorporating these strengths into my sessions in several ways:
1. Supportive psychotherapy (with stable clients): I use these timeless attributes to validate and highlight their strengths and uniqueness.
2. Intervention: I encourage clients to consciously incorporate their strengths into daily life. For those stuck in difficult environments at home or work, tapping into their strengths can be revitalizing. I often recommend creating grounding rituals based on their strengths during moments of distress.
For example, I once suggested to a client with a strong sense of humanity—especially kindness—that she offer sweets to coworkers she disliked. She struggled to adjust to her unkind workplace and unconsciously felt distressed about not being able to express kindness. This paradoxical method improved her adjustment.
The therapeutic effect of positive psychology lies in objectifying the good parts of ourselves. As a schema therapy practitioner, I often tell clients that the world feels dangerous and overwhelming because it resembles oppressive darkness, where nothing is visible or graspable, making everything seem frightening. But introducing even a single lamppost begins to disperse the darkness, allowing one to make sense of the surroundings.
Similarly, naming negative automatic thoughts provides cognitive boundaries, making them tangible—and anything tangible is easier to shape. If we can do this for negative schemas, why not for positive ones? This is, in my view, the crowning potential of positive psychology: its application as a learning module for students during their formative years.
We are among the first generations in human history to lack initiation or coming-of-age rituals. Our education systems are designed solely to produce income-generating individuals, neglecting emotional development. The consequences are generations of emotionally immature adults, trapped in prepubertal levels of psychological growth. These individuals experience existential angst because they lack the tools to master adulthood or build resilience in the face of life’s challenges.
In their confusion, they rely on manufactured pseudo-rituals and transient trends, such as public-speaking events or Hollywood depictions, which offer unrealistic portrayals of adulthood. Positive psychology can help mitigate this crisis by reconnecting future generations with the wheel of destiny.
January 2, 2013
Encyclopedic, but worth the effort.
March 26, 2023
Aunque extenso, es una guía genial sobre psicología positiva. Un gran paso en el desarrollo de la disciplina reconociendo científicamente los planteamientos que datan de más de 60 años de Norman Vincent Peale sobre el pensamiento positivo. Igualmente da muchísimas ideas para áreas de investigación en cada una de las fortalezas positivas.
May 22, 2018
Very useful in assisting me to identify my strengths and weaknesses as well. Also, it is a good reading within a framework to consider self-improvement and sustain children's psychological developments in different ages slot.
October 12, 2018
Love this textbook
June 20, 2020
Great book, but a little dated. If I get it I think I'll wait for an updated edition.
February 10, 2025
Well-written, and a nice overview of their 24 character strengths and virtues.
June 22, 2023
Een mooi handboek van waar je goed in kan zijn op het gebied van karakter. Een moderne invulling van de deugdethiek: het laat concreet zien wat het betekent tot bloei te komen als mens.
January 7, 2015
Finally, a handbook and classification of positive attributes (strengths, virtues) from years of work and research in "positive" psychology that capture the human being in a living, dynamic tension between inherent brokenness and a capacity to flourish. Practitioners have had to work too long with just the DSM-IV (now V) as a primary set of "labels" to describe our clients while having to advocate for their strengths among the naysayers surrounding client cases. Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification is founded on ancient roots of virtue ethics, an array of universal virtues that cross religious traditions, and growing research and evidence-based practices which have evolved from positive psychology; e.g., developmental schemas, resilience factors, strengths-based perspective.
This text will now be a primary source at my disposal to support engagement with clients, exploration among clients and to help clients identify their signature strengths by which to grow, work at change, and to flourish when many around them are stuck in the mud, wagging their heads in apathy.
This text will now be a primary source at my disposal to support engagement with clients, exploration among clients and to help clients identify their signature strengths by which to grow, work at change, and to flourish when many around them are stuck in the mud, wagging their heads in apathy.
August 26, 2012
It is from the American Psychological Association - from positive psychology researchers - whose aim is for all to evolve to their highest potential - it is all about character - it posits that there are 24 universal virtues - it looks at numerous fields of study all the way back to Plato to discuss these virtues, it talks about what assessment tools are available for each of them - gender and cultural differences - historical changes in how they are viewed - etc - I thought it was very inclusive of what is known on the subject and I thought the authors did a superior job in conveying it to the reader - I found it quite wonderful - hoping to go back now and see how to work on each of them so I can continue to evolve - also am hoping, it will be useful information that I can use with my patients
June 21, 2020
This is a great first attempt at acknowledging the pervasiveness of various virtues across the predominant cultures of thought in the world, while not necessarily equating them all in terms of quality and importance. It's clear that it's a work in progress though, as the virtues towards the beginning of the book are very well-described in terms of examples and qualifications, and virtues towards the end, especially the ones interesting to me relating to transcendence, are given a much more curt treatment. I look forward to the future when those ideas are fleshed out a bit more.
February 24, 2013
Read several of the introductions and then skimmed the rest. I wish I had the time to read the whole thing--in spite of all the scholarly language, the subject matter and the clearly thorough and fair thought put into it makes it totally worth it. Very interesting. I will have to get back to this.
July 4, 2016
A science-based catalogue of virtues, what humanity has learned about them, and what the virtues look like in action. The closest thing I have to a bible.
If you're into science and ethics, this is a must skim.
If you're into science and ethics, this is a must skim.
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January 22, 2016I am impassioned with the individual, team and societal implications for living a strength based and virtuous life. This work has begun building the foundation for helping us move from knowing of virtue to living our character strengths and virtues.
An exceptional practioners guide.
An exceptional practioners guide.
February 21, 2016
I LOVED this book! I love studying about personal strengths and this volume gives all you could ever want and more. So happy they took the time to compile it. Very interesting. Entertaining and illuminating.
May 28, 2014
Impressive span across cultures and time for a definitive list of virtues.
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July 4, 2022Author's website: https://www.authentichappiness.sas.up...
November 26, 2015
A dictionary of good traits. Now you have broadened your vocabulary of good traits, you see it in others and also wish to develop some yourself.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews